12 arrested during abortion bill protest

Yatzel Sabat, 30, is carried away by DPS troopers after the Senate voted late Friday to approve new abortion restrictions.

Protestors who raged against Texas’ push to pass tough new abortions laws say 12 members of their cause were arrested Friday and into early Saturday morning during the circus-like environment that engulfed the state Capitol.

In an email, Department of Public Safety spokesman Tom Vinger confirmed the head count, noting the information is still “preliminary.”

As of Saturday afternoon, only one had been released: 30-year-old Yatzel Sabat, who was arrested for taking part in a sit-down protest outside of the Senate chamber after lawmakers voted to approve the tough abortion restrictions.

Sabat, 30, was charged with obstructing highway/passageway and resisting arrest, according to the Travis County Sheriff’s Office.

An arrest affidavit obtained by Texas Politics says Sabat was blocking a hallway and refused to move when approached by troopers, who then tried to arrest her for blocking the passageway to the Senate.

In response, Sabat locked arms with another and “proceeded to kick in an attempt to refuse detention,” the affidavit said. A brief struggle ensued before trooper slapped plastic “flex” cuffs on Sabat.